Video: Home comforts should benefit Steelers on day of final reckoning

ROD SARICH hopes familiarity will breed contentment for Sheffield Steelers come the end of Sunday’s Challenge Cup Final against Cardiff Devils.

As part of the Elite League’s desire to revamp the oft-maligned competition, they opted last summer that a one-off final was to be scheduled for the Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield, the Steelers’ own rink, this Sunday.

Sheffield Steelers' Rod Sarich. Picture: Dean Woolley.

Previous to this season,the final was decided over two legs - like the semi-finals continue to be, but Sarich - who has ended up a losing finalist three finals during his nine seasons in Sheffield - believes a change in the format is worth trying and believes home ice advantage could help Steelers’ end their wait for a trophy which has so far eluded them in the Elite League area.

“It will be strange to have home ice advantage, usually when we’ve been in the final before it’s been two legs, but this is just the one game so we need to take advantage of it,” said Sarich, shortly after Wednesday night’s 2-0 win over Elite League leaders Braehead Clan to maintain Steelers’ interest on their other trophy trail.

“Cardiff play really well on their smaller home ice surface and they tailor there game to that

So I think being on the big ice will definitely be an advantage for us and being in our own rink and in our own dressing rooms. It’s where guys feel comfortable where they have regular routines.